Cabinet-mounted speaker system

ABSTRACT

A cabinet-mounted speaker system, wherein the directivity and intensity of the middle to upper frequency range components of the output signal may be selectively reinforced, comprises a fixed speaker system mounted in the cabinet and a movable speaker system that is movable from a first position in a damping chamber in the cabinet, wherein substantially all of the sound emitted from the movable speaker system is absorbed by the damping chamber, to a second position outside the damping chamber, wherein substantially all of the sound emitted from the speaker is transmitted from the cabinet.

United States Patent Domin et a1.

CABINET-MOUNTED SPEAKER 1. 3,707,201 51 Dec. 26, 1972 1 85,517 6/1957 Netherlands ..l8l/31 B SYSTEM Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky [72] g i:;l' g' "gfg g gfi g Attorney-Ronald L. Engel, Daniel w. Vittum, 11.,

' Gomer W. Walters and John A. Waters [73] Assignee: TMA Company, Wheeling, 111. [57] 1 ABSTRACT Filed! 1970 A cabinet-mounted speaker system, wherein the [21] App'L N 103 directivity and intensity of the middle to upper frequency range components of the output signal may be selectively reinforced, comprises a fixed speaker [52] 11.8. CI B, R system mounted in the cabinet and a movable speaker [5 .-Gk ystem is movable from a first position in a damp Fleld of Search, 31 A; 312/7, 8; ing chamber in the cabinet, wherein substantially all of 274/2 the sound emitted from the movable speaker system is absorbed by the damping chamber, to a second posi- [56] References Cited tion outside the damping chamber, wherein substan- UNITED STATES PATENTS tially all of the sound emitted from the speaker is transmitted from the cabinet. 3,416,804 12/1968 Christie ..274/2 11' Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS r a a 781,637 8/1957 (ireat Britain ..18l/31 B v 6 24 34 .38 2e 36 5 J 60 32 7 72 UJ| l 74 i IHllrl 68 11h...

50/ J A 1] l U I 1 CABINET-MOUNTED SPEAKER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION reproducing system), deficiencies are present with respect to the directivity and intensity of the middle to upper frequency range components of the output signal. Such speaker systems generally are enclosed in stereophonic radio-phonograph consoles, and the dual function of such consoles as aesthetically appealing and functional pieces of furniture, as well as audio reproducing systems, places undesirable restrictions on the placement of audio speakers that detract from the fidelity of the output of the system.- In typical stereophonic radio-phonograph consoles the radio and phonograph'are mounted at the top of the console and the speakers are positioned near the base of the console with the face of the speakers being directed toward the front of the console in a horizontal direction. Such speaker placement is not particularly disadvantageous for the low frequency signals because low frequency speakers are not highly directional, that is, the audio output of such speakers is not directed solely in the direction the speaker is facing but propagates in virtually all directions. However, the middle to' high frequency range components of the output signal are highly directional in the direction in which the speaker is facing, and the horizontal placement of such speakers in the base of the console detracts from the fidelity of such signals,-bec ause such signals tend to-be reflected about'the lower portions of-a room, being absorbed by furniture and rugs beforethe signals reach the upper levels of the room where the listener usually is positioned.

Moreover, the shape and fixtures of the room'in fixed speaker system. Preferably, the movable speaker system" comprises an exponential horn or other midrange speaker system, so that'the movable speakers may be employed to reinforce the middle and upper frequency range components in the output signal of the system, which components are frequently deficient in cabinet or console mounted speaker systems. J 7 Another important feature of the present invention is that the movable speakers are positioned at the top of the cabinet and, when exposed, are inclined upwardly toward the front of the cabinet, thereby improving the directivity of the output signal and minimizing frequency discrimination in theoutput signal.

In order to achieve the foregoing advantages without detracting .from the aesthetic appearance of the cabinet, the movable speaker system of the present invention is attached to the underside of a movable section of the top of the cabinet or console in which the speaker system is mounted. This movable section is piv'otally attached or'hinged along a back edge thereof vto the body portion of thecabinet, such that the front edge of the movable section may be raised above the plane of the top of the cabinet. In its lowered position, the top of the cabinet is flat and'the movable speaker system lies within a damping chamber in the cabinet, which absorbs substantially all of the sound emitted from the speaker system. Thus, when the movable speaker system is not is use, the cabinet or console will have a non-electronic aesthetic appearance and will have a level top, so that the console may'be used as a table or credenza or the like.

When the movable top section is raised, however, the attached movable speaker system is lifted out of the damping chamber and is exposed at the front of the cabinet in the space between-the front edge of the movable top section and the front portion of the body of the cabinet. When the movable top section is fully raised, the movable speaker system, which is aligned along the plane of the movable top section, is inclined which sound reproducingapparatus is placed has an effeet on the audio fidelity of the system, with a different room causing at least some frequency discrimination at different frequencies in the output signal. Such frequency discrimination may be eliminated or at least minimized by proper placement of the audio speakers in the room, but in consoles comprising fixed speaker systems, no such adjustment is possible.

In order to overcome theforegoing deficiencies of the prior art devices, the present invention was evolved. Y I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION upwardly toward the listener, thereby substantially improving the directivity of the output of the speaker.

The present invention may be employed in any type of, cabinet-enclosed sound reproducing apparatus, whether it be a monaural or a stereophonic system. When employed in a stereophonic system, the movable speakers are mounted under movable sections of the top positioned at each end of the console.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a cabinet-mounted speaker system having a fixed speaker system, wherein the directivity and intensity of the middle to upper frequency range components of the output signal may be reinforced by means of a separate movable speaker system mounted in the cabinet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet-mounted speaker system comprising fixed and movable speaker systems, wherein the movable speaker system is attached to the underside of a movable section of the top of the cabinet and may be moved from a first position within a damping chamber in the cabinet to a second position outside of the damping chamber.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet-mounted speaker system comprising fixed and movable speaker systems, wherein the moval060l2 OlSl stereophonic console.

bl e 'speaker' system comprises a middle to upper range frequency speaker system and may be moved so that the output of the movable speaker system is directed upwardlytoward the listener. 7

,These; and other objects, advantages, andfeatures of the 'subje'ctinvention will hereinafterappear, and for purposes-of illustration, but not of limitation, anexemplary preferred embodiment of thesubject invention is 1 described below-and illustrated in the appended draw- .ing. I H

'- 'BRIEF DESCRIPTION on THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing the. present invention mounted FIG. 2 is a partial cross section of thepresentinvention. v

' FIG; 3 is a partial front viewof the present invention,

of a partial end view showing the movable'speak er system in its second position outside of the damping chamber of the cabinet.

I FIG. 4 is a partial front view of the present invention partial damping of the output signal by placing the top in an intermediate position between itslowered and raised positions.

The speaker system of the present invention com prises a fixed speaker system 50 comprising separate balanced speaker systems 52 and 54 mounted in the body of the cabinet at each end thereof and a movable speaker system 56 c'omprising'movable.speakers: 58

and 60 mountedon the underside of movable top sections 28 and 30, respectively. In the preferred embodiment of the present inventionfixed speakerv systems 52 and 54 comprise airsuspension speakers mounted on the side walls of the cabinet on baffles 62 and 64, respectively.

As shown in greater detailin FIG. 2, movable speaker system 58 is attached to the underside of the showing the movable speaker'system in its first position- 'within the damping chamberofthe cabinet. v

' 'LDESCRIPTION or THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, a cabinet-mounted shown in FIGS. 1-4. For exemplary purposes the speaker system 10 embodying the subject invention is speaker system 10 is shown mounted in a stereophonic console or cabinet 12, which may also include'a record respective ends thereof is mounted onbody portion 14.

. Movable top sections 28 and 30 are pivotally mounted to'the body along back edges 32 and 34 thereof, respectively, so that front edges 36 and 38 thereof, respectively, may be raised relative to the top of the cabinet. Hinges such as hinge 40, shown in FIG.

'2 are employed in the preferred embodiment to affect the pivotal mounting of the movable top sections on the body of the cabinet.

As shown in FIG. 2, movable top section 28 may be maintained in its raised position by means of a position control device 42. Position control device 42 comprises a rod 44 pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof (FIG. 2 orientation) to movable top section 28 by means of a hinge 46 or other such conventional device attached to'movable top section 28. Rod 44 extends downwardly into the cabinet through an opening in a holding member 48 anchored to'an inside wall 51 of the cabinet. Holding member 48 is of conventional design and may be of the type that willhold the top only in its uppermost position or it may be the type that holds the top in any position in which it isplaced between its lowered and raised position. The latter type of position control member could be employed in order to achieve movable top section 28 by means of a mounting board 65 that is attached to top section 28 and extends downwardly therefrom. Side members 68, 70, 72, and

74 extend downwardly adjacent the outer edges of movable top sections 28 and 30,respectively, i'n order to cover the sides of speakers 58 and 60.

Movable speakers 58 and 60 are middle to upper frequency range speakers, preferably mid-range exponential horns, and are mounted on the underside of each movabletop section so asto be directed-toward the front of the speakercabinet'along a line parallel to the plane of the top section on which the speaker is mounted. Thus, when the top section is in its lowered position (as shown in FIG. 4)-the speaker is enclosed in a damping chamber 61 in the cabinet, with the face of the speaker directed horizontally toward'the front 16 of the speaker cabinet, which comprises a solid surface. Accordingly, any sound emitted from the movable speaker is reflected inwardlyinto the cabinet tobe sub stantially absorbed thereby, without being transmitted from the cabinet. When the topis in its raised position, however, the movable speaker faces the opening between the movable top section and the body of the cabinet so thatthe audio outputtherefrom may. be transmitted from the cabinet with substantially. no damping effect attributable to the cabinet.

Moreover, when the movable section. of the top is in its raised position, the speaker is directed upwardly, so that audio output from the speaker also is directedupwardly toward the listener, thereby improving markedly the middle to upper frequency range performance of the speaker system and minimizing frequency discrimination attributable to the surrounding environment. Since, as stated previously, middle to upper frequency range signals are highly directional, horizontal transmission of such signals, particularly from a lower sectionof the console, often causes such signals to be partially absorbedor distorted by the time they reach the listener, thereby impairing'theoutput of the speaker system. In the present invention, the fact that the speakers are mounted at the top of the machine and are directed upwardly substantially obviates the deficiencies of the prior art speaker systems.

In addition to the advantages mentioned previously, the present invention also is advantageous in that it provides a maximum quality of audio fidelity when the speaker system is in use, while providingirnaximum aesthetic appeal and functionality for thecabinet or console when the system is not in use. When the movarosorz oisz ble top sections are closed, the speakers are safely enclosed within their respective damping chambers, and, for all practical purposes, the stereophonic console or cabinet has the appearance of and may be-used as a credenza or other such functional piece of furniture. When the movable top sections are raised, however, the exponential horns are exposed and are positioned in an acoustically desirable manner at the top of the cabinet, inclined upwardly toward the listener.

Thus, the movable speaker feature of the present invention makes it possible to maximize the output fidelity of the system by having the speakers mounted away from the floor at the top of the console at an inclined angle with respect to the horizontal, while retaining all of the aesthetic qualities of conventional stereophonic consoles that lack the fidelity provided by the speaker system of the present invention. I A

It should be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the present invention and that various changes, modifications,and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of construction of the elements disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

We claim:

l. A cabinet-mounted speaker system comprising:

first speaker means mounted in the cabinet; a movable top section in the top'of the cabinet, said movable top section being pivotally mounted on the cabinet along a back edge thereof, so that a front edge thereof maybe raised with respect to the cabinet from a lowered position to a raised position;

position control means fastened to said movable top section, said position control means being adapted to retain the movable top section in its raised position after said movable top section has been manually raised to its raised position;

a damping chamber in the cabinet below said movable top section;

movable speaker means mounted on the underside of the movable top section, said movable speaker means being movable along with the movable top section from a lowered position within the damping chamber in the cabinet, wherein substantially all of the sound emitted from the speaker is absorbed by the damping chamber, to a raised position at least partially outside of the damping chamber, wherein substantially all of the sound emitted from the speaker is transmitted from the cabinet;

a mounting board attached along an edge thereof to the movable top section and depending vertically downwardly from the front edge of the movable top section a distance sufficient to reach the front edge of the cabinet when the movable top section is in its raised position, said mounting board having an opening therein through which the audio output of the movable speaker means may pass; and

side members mounted to the movable top section on each side of the movable speaker means and extending downwardly therefrom a distance sufficient to completely enclose the movable speaker means in the damping chamber when the movable top section is raised, with the exception of the audio output opening in the mounting board,

whereby the damping chamber itself acts as an enclosed speaker enclosure for the movable speaker I 1 system when the movable top section is in its raised position. 2. A cabinet-mounted speaker system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the movable speaker means comprises middle to upper frequency range speaker apparatus; and the movable speaker means are mounted so that the audio output thereof is directed toward the front of the cabinet along a line parallel to'the plane of the movable top section, said movable speaker api paratus being inclined upwardly toward the front of the cabinet when the movable speaker means is in its raised position. 3. A cabinet-mounted speaker system as claimedin claim 1, wherein the position control means is adapted to hold the movable top' section in any position between its lowered and raised positions, so that the sound emitted from the movable speaker system may be partially damped by. partially raising the movable top section to a position intermediate its raised position and its lowered position.

4. A cabinet-mounted speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping chamber comprises a solid surface on the front of the cabinet below the movable portion of the top, such that the damping chamber acts to damp out the audio signal emitted from the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its lowered position and acts as a speaker enclosure for the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its raised position.

5. A speaker system for a stereophonic console having a body and top mounted thereon, said console comprising a front and a back, and two sides, said speaker system comprising:

a pair of balanced fixed speaker systems mounted in the console on baffles formed in each side thereof;

a pair of movable top sections located at opposite ends of the top, each said movable top section being pivotally mounted on the body of the cabinet along a back edge thereof, so that the front edge thereof may be raised with respect to the body of the cabinet from a lowered position to a raised position; position control means fastened to each movable top section, each position control means being adapted to retain its respective movable top section in its raised position after such movable top portion has been so placed in its raised position until the movable-top section is manually moved from its raised position; pair of damping chambers in the body of the cabinet below the respective movable top sections; and a pair of mid-range exponential horns, each mounted on the underside of one movable top section, each said exponential horn being directed toward the front of the cabinet along a line parallel to the plane of its respective movable top section, each. said exponential horn being mounted so that it is positioned within its respective damping chamber when its movable top section is in its lowered position and is positioned out of its respective damping chamber when its respective movable top section is in its raised position, each said exponential horn raisedfposition.

A speaker system, asclaimed in claimfS, wherein each fixed speaker system comprises an air suspension speaker system. A

7. A speaker system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

each exponential horn is mounted on the underside r *ofits respective movable top section by means of a :rectangular'mounting board attached perpendicular along one edge thereof to the underside of the top adjacentthe front edge thereof, said mounting board comprising an opening therein through which the audio output of the attached exponential horn maypass; and v vertically depending side members attached at right angles to the underside of each movable .top section'and attached at-rightangles to the mounting board, said side members being positioned on each side of each exponential horn. 8.-A speaker system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting boards and side members extend downwardly a distance sufficient to completely enclose the movable speaker systems, except for the opening in the mounting boards, when the movabletop sections are in their raised positions, so that the damping chambers act as speakerenclosures for the exponential horns when the movable top sections are in their raised positions.-

9. A speaker system for a stereophonic console having a body and top mounted thereon, said console comprising a and a back, and two sides, said speaker system comprising:

a pair of balanced fixed speaker systems mounted in the console on baffles located at opposite ends of the body; I a pair of movable top sections located at opposite ends of 'the top, each said movable top section being pivotally mounted on the body of the cabinet along a back edge thereof, so that the front edge thereof may be raised with respect to the body of the cabinet from avlowered position to a raised position;

position control means adapted to retain its respective movable top section in its raised position after such movable top portion has been so placed in its raised position;

a pair of damping chambers in the body of the cabinetbelow the respective movable top sections; and l a pair of balanced movable speaker'systems, each mounted on the underside of one movable top section, each said movable speaker system being directed toward the front of the cabinet along a line parallel to the plane of its respective movable top section, each said movable speaker system being mounted-so that it is positioned within its respective damping chamber whenits-movable top section is in its lowered position and is positioned at least partially out of its-respective damping chamber when its respective movable top section is in its raised position, each said movable speaker system being mounted so as to be inclined upwardly' toward the front of the eonsole when its respective movable top section is in its raised position. 10'. A speaker system as claimed in claim'9, wherein: each movable speaker system is mounted on the underside of its respective movable top'section by means of a mounting ,board attached perpendicularly'along one edge thereof to the underside of the top adjacent the front edge thereof, said mounting board? comprising an opening" therein through which the audio output of the attached movable speaker system may pass, said mounting board extending downwardly a distance sufficient to reach the front edge of the body when the movable top section is in its raised position; and vertically depending side members attached at right angles to the underside of eachmovable top sec-' tion and attached at right angles to the mounting board, said side members being positioned on each side of each movable speaker system and extending downwardly a distance sufficient to enclose the sides of the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its raised position,

whereby the damping chamber acts as a speaker en- 

1. A cabinet-mounted speaker system comprising: first speaker means mounted in the cabinet; a movable top section in the top of the cabinet, said movable top section being pivotally mounted on the cabinet along a back edge thereof, so that a front edge thereof may be raised with respect to the cabinet from a lowered position to a raised position; position control means fastened to said movable top section, said position control means being adapted to retain the movable top section in its raised position after said movable top section has been manually raised to its raised position; a damping chamber in the cabinet below said movablE top section; movable speaker means mounted on the underside of the movable top section, said movable speaker means being movable along with the movable top section from a lowered position within the damping chamber in the cabinet, wherein substantially all of the sound emitted from the speaker is absorbed by the damping chamber, to a raised position at least partially outside of the damping chamber, wherein substantially all of the sound emitted from the speaker is transmitted from the cabinet; a mounting board attached along an edge thereof to the movable top section and depending vertically downwardly from the front edge of the movable top section a distance sufficient to reach the front edge of the cabinet when the movable top section is in its raised position, said mounting board having an opening therein through which the audio output of the movable speaker means may pass; and side members mounted to the movable top section on each side of the movable speaker means and extending downwardly therefrom a distance sufficient to completely enclose the movable speaker means in the damping chamber when the movable top section is raised, with the exception of the audio output opening in the mounting board, whereby the damping chamber itself acts as an enclosed speaker enclosure for the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its raised position.
 2. A cabinet-mounted speaker system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the movable speaker means comprises middle to upper frequency range speaker apparatus; and the movable speaker means are mounted so that the audio output thereof is directed toward the front of the cabinet along a line parallel to the plane of the movable top section, said movable speaker apparatus being inclined upwardly toward the front of the cabinet when the movable speaker means is in its raised position.
 3. A cabinet-mounted speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position control means is adapted to hold the movable top section in any position between its lowered and raised positions, so that the sound emitted from the movable speaker system may be partially damped by partially raising the movable top section to a position intermediate its raised position and its lowered position.
 4. A cabinet-mounted speaker system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping chamber comprises a solid surface on the front of the cabinet below the movable portion of the top, such that the damping chamber acts to damp out the audio signal emitted from the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its lowered position and acts as a speaker enclosure for the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its raised position.
 5. A speaker system for a stereophonic console having a body and top mounted thereon, said console comprising a front and a back, and two sides, said speaker system comprising: a pair of balanced fixed speaker systems mounted in the console on baffles formed in each side thereof; a pair of movable top sections located at opposite ends of the top, each said movable top section being pivotally mounted on the body of the cabinet along a back edge thereof, so that the front edge thereof may be raised with respect to the body of the cabinet from a lowered position to a raised position; position control means fastened to each movable top section, each position control means being adapted to retain its respective movable top section in its raised position after such movable top portion has been so placed in its raised position until the movable top section is manually moved from its raised position; a pair of damping chambers in the body of the cabinet below the respective movable top sections; and a pair of mid-range exponential horns, each mounted on the underside of one movable top section, each said exponential horn being directed toward the front of the cabinet along a line parallel to the plane of its respective movable top section, each said exponential horn being mounted so that it is positioned within its respective damping chamber when its movable top section is in its lowered position and is positioned out of its respective damping chamber when its respective movable top section is in its raised position, each said exponential horn being mounted so that the exponential horn is inclined upwardly toward the front of the console when its respective movable top section is in its raised position.
 6. A speaker system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein each fixed speaker system comprises an air suspension speaker system.
 7. A speaker system, as claimed in claim 6, wherein: each exponential horn is mounted on the underside of its respective movable top section by means of a rectangular mounting board attached perpendicular along one edge thereof to the underside of the top adjacent the front edge thereof, said mounting board comprising an opening therein through which the audio output of the attached exponential horn may pass; and vertically depending side members attached at right angles to the underside of each movable top section and attached at right angles to the mounting board, said side members being positioned on each side of each exponential horn.
 8. A speaker system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting boards and side members extend downwardly a distance sufficient to completely enclose the movable speaker systems, except for the opening in the mounting boards, when the movable top sections are in their raised positions, so that the damping chambers act as speaker enclosures for the exponential horns when the movable top sections are in their raised positions.
 9. A speaker system for a stereophonic console having a body and top mounted thereon, said console comprising a and a back, and two sides, said speaker system comprising: a pair of balanced fixed speaker systems mounted in the console on baffles located at opposite ends of the body; a pair of movable top sections located at opposite ends of the top, each said movable top section being pivotally mounted on the body of the cabinet along a back edge thereof, so that the front edge thereof may be raised with respect to the body of the cabinet from a lowered position to a raised position; position control means adapted to retain its respective movable top section in its raised position after such movable top portion has been so placed in its raised position; a pair of damping chambers in the body of the cabinet below the respective movable top sections; and a pair of balanced movable speaker systems, each mounted on the underside of one movable top section, each said movable speaker system being directed toward the front of the cabinet along a line parallel to the plane of its respective movable top section, each said movable speaker system being mounted so that it is positioned within its respective damping chamber when its movable top section is in its lowered position and is positioned at least partially out of its respective damping chamber when its respective movable top section is in its raised position, each said movable speaker system being mounted so as to be inclined upwardly toward the front of the console when its respective movable top section is in its raised position.
 10. A speaker system as claimed in claim 9, wherein: each movable speaker system is mounted on the underside of its respective movable top section by means of a mounting board attached perpendicularly along one edge thereof to the underside of the top adjacent the front edge thereof, said mounting board comprising an opening therein through which the audio output of the attached movable speaker system may pass, said mounting board extending downwardly a distance sufficient to reach the front edge of the body when the movable top section is in its raised position; and vertically depending side members attached at right angles to the underside of each movable top section and attached at right angles to the mOunting board, said side members being positioned on each side of each movable speaker system and extending downwardly a distance sufficient to enclose the sides of the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its raised position, whereby the damping chamber acts as a speaker enclosure for the movable speaker system when the movable top section is in its raised position.
 11. A speaker system as claimed in claim 10, wherein each position control means is adapted to retain its respective movable top section in any position between its raised and lowered positions, so that partial damping of the movable speaker system may be effected by partially raising the movable top section to a point between its lowered and raised positions. 